Oregon lawmakers hear testimony on medical pot bills

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This May 17, 2011 photo provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Medford, Ore., shows a medical marijuana growing room on property owned by Jason Nelson of Grants Pass, Ore., the first registered Oregon medical marijuana grower convicted as part of a federal crackdown on abusers of the state law. According to testimony, Nelson was one of three people who gave medical marijuana to a woman who was arrested in Portland, Ore., trying to ship it to Boston for sale. (AP Photo/U.S. Attorney's Office, Medford, Ore.)

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon lawmakers have begun considering bills that would tighten regulation of medical marijuana — where it is grown and where it is distributed.

A House committee on Monday was hearing testimony on a bill that would limit the number of growers per grow site to three. There is currently no limit, which has resulted in sizeable marijuana plantations, especially in Southern Oregon.

Another bill would require dispensaries to register with the state medical marijuana program. That would help clarify the legal status of dispensaries that have sprung up across the state. Some of those dispensaries have been raided by police.

Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber and Republican state Rep. Dennis Richardson of Central Point squared off Friday, July 18, 2014 in Oregon first gubernatorial debate. The debate was sponsored by the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association.

Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber and Republican state Rep. Dennis Richardson of Central Point squared off Friday, July 18, 2014 in Oregon first gubernatorial debate. The debate was sponsored by the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association.